Members of the College Station, Texas fire department stand near the covered bodies of two of the people who died early on the morning or Nov. 18, 1999, when a 40-foot pyramid of logs assembled for Texas A&M University's traditional pregame bonfire collapsed. Sixty to 70 students were on top of the logs when the accident happened at 2:30 a.m. in a field on the northeast corner of the campus, according to university officials. less

Members of the College Station, Texas fire department stand near the covered bodies of two of the people who died early on the morning or Nov. 18, 1999, when a 40-foot pyramid of logs assembled for Texas A&M ... more

Emergency workers rush a student who was trapped for hours under a stack of logs that collapsed while being prepared for a pre-football game bonfire early on Nov. 18, 1999 at Texas A&M University in College Station. less

Emergency workers rush a student who was trapped for hours under a stack of logs that collapsed while being prepared for a pre-football game bonfire early on Nov. 18, 1999 at Texas A&M University in College ... more

Photo: DAVE MCDERMAND, AP

Emergency workers rush a student who was trapped for hours under a... Photo-5468575.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Rescue Efforts

Rescuers work to free students trapped beneath the pile of logs that were being stacked for the traditional homecoming bonfire at Texas A&M on Nov. 18, 1999, in College Station

Rescuers work to free students trapped beneath the pile of logs that were being stacked for the traditional homecoming bonfire at Texas A&M on Nov. 18, 1999, in College Station

Photo: ERIC GAY, AP

Rescuers work to free students trapped beneath the pile of logs... Photo-5468586.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Rescue Efforts

Texas A&M students and rescue workers gather at the base of the collapsed bonfire stack as the search continues for victims in this Nov. 18, 1999 photo in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M students and rescue workers gather at the base of the collapsed bonfire stack as the search continues for victims in this Nov. 18, 1999 photo in College Station, Texas.

Photo: PAT SULLIVAN, AP

Texas A&M students and rescue workers gather at the base of the... Photo-5468519.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Rescue Efforts

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Rescue Efforts

Texas A&M football players, D'Andre 'Tiki' Hardeman, left, and Semisi Heimuli, help carry a log away from the collapsed bonfire, Nov. 18, 1999 at the Texas A&M bonfire site on Texas A&M University in College Station. less

Texas A&M football players, D'Andre 'Tiki' Hardeman, left, and Semisi Heimuli, help carry a log away from the collapsed bonfire, Nov. 18, 1999 at the Texas A&M bonfire site on Texas A&M University in College ... more

Fire trucks, cranes and other heavy equipment involved in search and rescue surround and probe the pile of logs that was being constructed for Texas A&M's traditional football bonfire at Texas A&M University.

Fire trucks, cranes and other heavy equipment involved in search and rescue surround and probe the pile of logs that was being constructed for Texas A&M's traditional football bonfire at Texas A&M University.

Texas A&M students move logs that were extracted from the bonfire stack in College Station. At least nine students were killed and more than 25 injured when the 40-foot structure collapsed in the early morning hours. less

Texas A&M students move logs that were extracted from the bonfire stack in College Station. At least nine students were killed and more than 25 injured when the 40-foot structure collapsed in the early morning ... more

Students watch as emergency workers continue into the evening removing logs from the bonfire accident site.

Students watch as emergency workers continue into the evening removing logs from the bonfire accident site.

Photo: SMILEY N. POOL, Houston Chronicle

Students watch as emergency workers continue into the evening... Photo-5468568.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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The Aftermath of the Collapse

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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The Aftermath of the Collapse

A Texas A&M student sits on his hardhat while visiting the site of a bonfire collapse, Nov. 19, 1999, in College Station.

A Texas A&M student sits on his hardhat while visiting the site of a bonfire collapse, Nov. 19, 1999, in College Station.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

A Texas A&M student sits on his hardhat while visiting the site... Photo-5468556.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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The Aftermath of the Collapse

Texas A&M freshman Lanny Hayes points to his crushed foot during an interview at St. Joseph Regional Health Center Nov. 20, 1999 in Bryan. Hayes was on the first stack of the bonfire when it collapsed.

Texas A&M freshman Lanny Hayes points to his crushed foot during an interview at St. Joseph Regional Health Center Nov. 20, 1999 in Bryan. Hayes was on the first stack of the bonfire when it collapsed.

Two Texas A&M students visit a memorial crucifix at the site of last month's tragedy as members of the Special Commission on the 1999 Bonfire, background, inspect the site Dec. 3, 1999, in College Station. The cross holds 12 candles for the 12 victims of the collapse. less

Two Texas A&M students visit a memorial crucifix at the site of last month's tragedy as members of the Special Commission on the 1999 Bonfire, background, inspect the site Dec. 3, 1999, in College Station. The ... more

Photo: PAT SULLIVAN, AP

Two Texas A&M students visit a memorial crucifix at the site of... Photo-5468594.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Remembering the Fallen Aggies

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Remembering the Fallen Aggies

Mourners visit the site where 12 people were killed by the collapse of a bonfire tower of logs Nov. 22, 1999, on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station

Mourners visit the site where 12 people were killed by the collapse of a bonfire tower of logs Nov. 22, 1999, on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station

Photo: DAVE MCDERMAND, AP

Mourners visit the site where 12 people were killed by the collapse... Photo-5468611.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Remembering the Fallen Aggies

Reveille IV, the Texas A&M mascot, stands with members of the Texas A&M Corp of Cadets following funeral services for Bryan McClain at the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church in San Antonio on Nov. 22, 1999. McClain died as a result of the collapse of the school's bonfire while under construction. less

Reveille IV, the Texas A&M mascot, stands with members of the Texas A&M Corp of Cadets following funeral services for Bryan McClain at the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church in San Antonio on Nov. 22, 1999. ... more

Wendy Jones, right, class of '79, gets a hug from Pam Watson, on the Texas A&M campus during a candlelight vigil Nov. 25, 1999 at the site where 12 died in the bonfire collapse. (Smiley N. Pool/Chronicle)

Wendy Jones, right, class of '79, gets a hug from Pam Watson, on the Texas A&M campus during a candlelight vigil Nov. 25, 1999 at the site where 12 died in the bonfire collapse. (Smiley N. Pool/Chronicle)

Ross Volunteers fire off the third round of a 21-gun salute during the Silver Taps ceremony in front of the Academic Building at Texas A&M University in College Station on Dec. 7, 1999. The volunteers and students gathered at the plaza to honor the students who were killed in the Nov. 18 bonfire collapse. less

Ross Volunteers fire off the third round of a 21-gun salute during the Silver Taps ceremony in front of the Academic Building at Texas A&M University in College Station on Dec. 7, 1999. The volunteers and ... more

Photo: JP BEATO, AP

Ross Volunteers fire off the third round of a 21-gun salute during... Photo-5468593.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Remembering the Fallen Aggies

Fans at the Texas vs. Texas A&M game Nov. 26, 1999 in College Station spell out the words 'Remember 99' in honor of those killed and injured in the bonfire collapse.

Fans at the Texas vs. Texas A&M game Nov. 26, 1999 in College Station spell out the words 'Remember 99' in honor of those killed and injured in the bonfire collapse.

A single white rose rests in front of the boots of bonfire collapse victim Timothy Kerlee, a Texas A&M Corps of Cadets member, Dec. 7, 1999, in College Station.

A single white rose rests in front of the boots of bonfire collapse victim Timothy Kerlee, a Texas A&M Corps of Cadets member, Dec. 7, 1999, in College Station.

Photo: PAT SULLIVAN, Associated Press

A single white rose rests in front of the boots of bonfire collapse... Photo-5468553.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Investigation

Texas A&M officials lead members of the Special Commission on the 1999 Bonfire chairman Leo Linbeck Jr., second from right, and Veronica Kastrin Callaghan tour the site of the collapse .Dec. 3, 1999, in College Station. less

Texas A&M officials lead members of the Special Commission on the 1999 Bonfire chairman Leo Linbeck Jr., second from right, and Veronica Kastrin Callaghan tour the site of the collapse .Dec. 3, 1999, in College ... more

Photo: PAT SULLIVAN, AP

Texas A&M officials lead members of the Special Commission on... Photo-5468576.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Forever Etched

Texas A&M student John Comstock looks over his shoulder as a photographer takes a picture of his bonfire tattoo during a press conference on the first day of classes Aug. 27, 2001, in College Station, Texas. Comstock lost his legs in the collapse of the Aggie Bonfire in 1999. Comstock, the worst-injured survivor of the Texas A&M bonfire collapse returned to campus almost two years after he was pinned under the fallen logs. less

Texas A&M student John Comstock looks over his shoulder as a photographer takes a picture of his bonfire tattoo during a press conference on the first day of classes Aug. 27, 2001, in College Station, Texas. ... more

Texas A&M University sophomore Kristin West looks at a model of the winning design for the Bonfire Memorial with her father Richard Allen West, of Bellaire, March 6, 2002, in College Station. Richard West was a member of the jury that voted the winning design. His son was one of the 12 Aggies who died in the 1999 Bonfire collapse. less

Texas A&M University sophomore Kristin West looks at a model of the winning design for the Bonfire Memorial with her father Richard Allen West, of Bellaire, March 6, 2002, in College Station. Richard West was a ... more

Families and friends walk by 12 crosses representing the victims killed in the collapse of Texas A&M Bonfire on the Texas A&M Campus during a memorial groundbreaking ceremony, July 19, 2003, in College Station.

Families and friends walk by 12 crosses representing the victims killed in the collapse of Texas A&M Bonfire on the Texas A&M Campus during a memorial groundbreaking ceremony, July 19, 2003, in College Station.

Tim and Janice Kerlee break ground on behalf of their son, Tim Kerlee Jr., who was killed in the collapse of the Texas A&M Bonfire in 1999, at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Texas A&M Bonfire Memorial, July 19, 2003, in College Station. less

Tim and Janice Kerlee break ground on behalf of their son, Tim Kerlee Jr., who was killed in the collapse of the Texas A&M Bonfire in 1999, at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Texas A&M Bonfire Memorial, July ... more

Joy Summers and Savannah Burton of Texas A&M University Landscape Crew rake the rocks surrounding the Bonfire Memorial on campus which was built to honor the 12 students killed and 27 injured when the school's traditional bonfire unexpectedly collapsed in 1999. less

Joy Summers and Savannah Burton of Texas A&M University Landscape Crew rake the rocks surrounding the Bonfire Memorial on campus which was built to honor the 12 students killed and 27 injured when the school's ... more

Texas A&M student Jenny Grego waits with the rest of her crew for the start of the Student Bonfire Nov. 20, 2007 in Hearne, Texas. About 3,000 attended the fifth bonfire since the bonfire collapse at Texas A&M University in 1999. less

Texas A&M student Jenny Grego waits with the rest of her crew for the start of the Student Bonfire Nov. 20, 2007 in Hearne, Texas. About 3,000 attended the fifth bonfire since the bonfire collapse at Texas A&M ... more

Students from Texas A&M University work to build the traditional "Aggie Bonfire" off-campus Nov. 9, 2009, in College Station.

Students from Texas A&M University work to build the traditional "Aggie Bonfire" off-campus Nov. 9, 2009, in College Station.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Students from Texas A&M University work to build the... Photo-5468484.74145 - Houston Chronicle

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Never Forgotten

Hundreds attend a candlelight vigil at 2:42 a.m. on the exact time of the 10th anniversary of the 1999 Bonfire collapse. The Bonfire began in 1909 as a tradition before the Texas A&M-Texas football game.

Hundreds attend a candlelight vigil at 2:42 a.m. on the exact time of the 10th anniversary of the 1999 Bonfire collapse. The Bonfire began in 1909 as a tradition before the Texas A&M-Texas football game.